App Store related Press Releases

Apple Announces Over 100,000 Apps Now Available on the App Store

Jason Ankeny — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:10:13 -0500

Apple® today announced that developers have created over 100,000 apps for the revolutionary App Store, the largest applications store in the world. iPhone® and iPod touch® customers in 77 countries can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. App Store users have downloaded well over two billion apps, continuing to make it the world’s most popular applications store.

“The App Store, now with over 100,000 applications available, is clearly a major differentiator for millions of iPhone and iPod touch customers around the world,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The iPhone SDK created the first great platform for mobile applications and our customers are loving all of the amazing apps our developers are creating.”

“The App Store has forever changed the mobile gaming industry and continues to improve,” said Travis Boatman, vice president of Worldwide Studios, EA Mobile. “With a global reach of over 50 million iPhone and iPod touch users, the App Store has allowed us to develop high quality EA games that have been a huge success with customers.”

“With 10,000 downloads a day, worldwide customer response to our I Am T-Pain App has exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Jeff Smith, CEO of Smule. “The App Store has given us a unique opportunity to create and grow a very successful business, and we’re looking forward to an exciting future.”

Apple continues to improve search and discovery with new features including Genius for Apps, App Store Essentials selections, sub category listings and more valuable customer reviews. With the recently introduced iTunes® 9, it’s also now easier than ever to organize and sync your apps right in iTunes and they will automatically appear on your iPhone or iPod touch with the same layout.

The release of iPhone OS 3.0 this summer made over 100 new features available to iPhone and iPod touch users including Cut, Copy and Paste; MMS; landscape view for Mail, Text and Notes; stereo Bluetooth; shake to shuffle; parental controls; automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots and Push Notifications. These new features have been incredibly popular with customers and there have already been more than two billion Push Notifications sent to apps available from the App Store. Additionally, the recently introduced In App Purchase feature for free apps means leading developers will now be able to offer customers the choice of buying content, subscriptions and digital services from directly inside their apps.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

CBSSPORTS.COM COLLEGE NETWORK RELEASES FIRST SERIES OF OFFICIAL SCHOOL APPLICATIONS FOR THE IPHONE & IPOD TOUCH

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:16:00 -0500

CBSSports.com College Network, a division of CBS Interactive that produces over 200 official collegiate athletic sites, today announced the availability of a series of official athletic apps for top colleges and universities from the App Store.

The series of official apps, which will eventually cover over 60 individual schools, presently includes Alabama (BamaMobile), Kansas (KUAthletics), Missouri (MizzouMobile), North Carolina (TarHeelMobile), Oklahoma (SoonerSports), Oklahoma State (OSUTube), & USC (USCAthletics).

The series of CBSSports.com College Network official apps allow fans, students and alumni on-the-go access to the latest breaking news, updated scores, and live streaming audio & on-demand video clips for the 2009-2010 school year for a range of sports from football and basketball to soccer and tennis.

"Dedicated fans and alumni across the United States are constantly looking for ways to follow their favorite college team when they are away from their televisions and computers and this series of apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch delivers some of the richest and deepest content available for a mobile device," said Patty Hirsch, General Manager of CBSSports.com College Network. "We've successfully been able to take all of the great features from these schools' official athletic sites, including live game audio and on-demand video clips, and build it into these applications, giving users everything they need to track their team while on the go."

The apps also contain complete schedules for each sport by date, time, venue and opponent, including home and away team rosters and bio information for each athlete. Live video streaming, real-time scoring and play-by-play, as well as All Access streaming subscriptions are planned for upcoming versions of the apps.

Each app is available for $4.99 from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

FREE DISNEY APP NOW AVAILABLE ON APP STORE

Jason Ankeny — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:31:07 -0400

Disney.com today announced it has launched an app for iPhone and iPod touch on the App Store. The Disney App features an array of high quality Disney content including areas dedicated to Characters, Music, Video and Games. Content in the app will be updated regularly, providing kids and families with instant access to the latest Disney news and entertainment.

The new Disney App will also offer innovative features including "Click2Life" which allows iPhone users to take pictures of images from the online version of Disney.com with their device that will then come to life within the app and turn into a 3D image. Additionally, the Disney App will automatically discover other Disney apps and games available through the App Store, organizing all Disney-branded content within one destination on each device so users can easily access their favorite games and entertainment content.

Key content features within the new Disney App include:

Disney at your fingertips - instant access to the latest Disney news and entertainment.
Characters - interact with hundreds of Disney's most popular characters through customizable photo frames and audio greetings that can be customized by users.
Music - listen to Radio Disney live, play "Name that Song," watch music videos and purchase the latest Disney music from the iTunes Store.
Videos - watch new featured and original videos each week including Disney.com's "Backstage Pass" and "Spotlight" segments.
Games and My Disney Apps- download and manage free and paid Disney games and other apps.

"While this app provides seamless access to all things Disney, delivering unmatched entertainment and information directly to mobile devices, we're not simply recreating Disney.com on your iPhone or iPod touch," stated Jason Davis, vice president, Disney.com. "Features like ‘Click2Life' utilize iPhone's revolutionary functionality to create exciting new ways to interact with Disney characters and content."

The Disney.com App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at iTunes.com/WaltDisney along with an extensive line-up of other free and paid Disney Apps.

Already an online and mobile Web powerhouse, Disney.com reaches nearly 31 million unique visitors per month, ranking as the No. 1 Community-Family & Parenting site. Among mobile Web sites, Disney.com ranks as the No. 1 entertainment mobile site. Disney also has an expanding line-up of paid apps currently available in the App Store including Toy Story Mania!, Disney Fairies Fly, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Breakspin, among many others.

About Disney Online
Disney Online (www.Disney.com or text MOBILE to DISNEY*) a unit of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces the No. 1 ranked community-family and parenting destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1996, Disney.com is the online and now mobile web gateway to all of the company's Disney-branded entertainment initiatives, providing comprehensive access to, and information about Disney movies, travel, television, games, music, shopping and live events.

In addition, Disney Online develops and publishes a range of online products and services including Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney's Toontown Online, Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow and Disney Club Penguin.

# # #

David Hasselhoff launches new iPhone app, gives Hoffalicious advice

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:55:20 -0400

Following his hit TV series Meet The Hasselhoffs, one of the world's most popular television icons is set to make headlines again with the launch of his own iPhone app.

David Hasselhoff, who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "The Most Watched TV Star in the World", promises to answer all of life's questions with his official iPhone app Ask The Hoff (iTunes Store), which is now available in the iTunes App Store.

The app was created by Hasselhoff's company Hoffstuff Productions and Never Odd Or Even LLP, a UK-based mobile development agency.

According to the app, scientists have downloaded Hoff's brain into the iPhone. After the user asks a question and shakes the phone, an animated version of the Hoff replies with one of a number of pre-recorded responses, voiced by Hasselhoff himself.

"I know there are moments when everyone faces major decisions in life and need advice from an expert,"said Hasselhoff, "so as the proud owner of not one but two iPhones (I like to be able to make two phone calls at once!), I'm very pleased to announce the launch of my very own iPhone app."

"It's silly and it's fun, but it's the only way to make important decisions at home and at work," commented Paul Smith, creative partner at Never Odd Or Even LLP. "This iPhone app gives iPhone and iPod owners the chance to receive guidance from their favourite bouffant haired Trans Am driving lifeguard."

Over 50 million iPhones have been sold worldwide since its launch in 2007. Both Orange and Vodafone recently announced they will be selling the iPhone in the UK alongside current suppliers O2, further increasing the handset's market share in the UK.

Ask The Hoff is available worldwide in the iTunes App Store for 59p/99¢.

ENDS

Note to editors

- Ask The Hoff is a collaborative production between David Hasselhoff's company Hoffstuff Productions and Never Odd or Even LLP, a UK-based digital agency specialising in iPhone applications and development for mobile platforms.

- For further information contact Creative Partner Paul Smith on 07828 691 650, paul@neverodd.co.uk

Volkswagen Becomes First Auto Manufacturer To Launch a Car Exclusively on a Mobile Device

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:34:00 -0400

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today
announced the launch of the all-new 2010 GTI via the App Store by making
available a free version of the popular Firemint Real Racing game that
exclusively features the all-new 2010 GTI. This is the first time an
automotive manufacturer has used the App Store to launch a new vehicle.
Additionally, users of the Real Racing GTI App in the U.S. can compete for the
chance to win one of six, limited-edition 2010 GTIs that are fully-customized
inside and out.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091022/DE96311-a )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091022/DE96311-b )

The free Real Racing GTI App is available worldwide and spares no detail,
allowing players to experience every thrilling aspect of the all-new 2010 GTI
right in the palms of their hands on iPhone and iPod touch. From the
redesigned exterior with more aggressive headlights and the famous red-striped
grille, to the sporty interior with a race-inspired steering wheel, the
all-new 2010 GTI races its way to life on the screen for a thrilling gaming
experience.

"With the personalization of media and the challenges inherent with reaching
constantly connected consumers, we tasked ourselves to rethink the way we
launch vehicles in order to engage our consumers in a meaningful way," said
Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The GTI
customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games
and spending time on mobile devices - most often an iPhone. Launching the
all-new 2010 GTI via the Real Racing GTI App allows us to connect with this
savvy GTI consumer within his or her everyday life in a way that no 30-second
spot ever could."

U.S.-registered players enjoying the action of the Real Racing GTI App will be
challenged to put their skills to the test for a chance to win one of six
limited-edition 2010 GTI models. The more they play, the more chances they
have to win. Each week for six consecutive weeks beginning today, one player
will be chosen to win the ultimate racing prize: the exclusive GTI MkVI, an
individually-numbered, specially-tuned version of the legendary hatchback.
Each model includes the GTI's 2.0T 200hp four-cylinder engine, a performance
tuned suspension finished with black, Volkswagen motorsport 18-inch all-new
wheels, and special interior touches, including carbon fiber-look trim, a
numbered dash plaque, and unique stitching in the front headrests. For more
information on the competition please visit: www.vw.com/RealRacingGTI.

Given the ever-increasing prominence of social networking in the lives of the
games' target consumers, Real Racing GTI includes several features designed to
foster social connectivity. These include the ability of players to send
messages to their competitors via Twitter and to capture and upload videos of
their best laps to the game's YouTube channel for international bragging
rights. Additionally, GTI MkVI buyers will also be able to configure their
vehicles, modeled after the six prize cars, at participating Volkswagen
dealerships throughout the U.S.

The Real Racing GTI App is available for free from the App Store on the iPhone
and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. No purchase is necessary to
enter the contest, which officially ends on December 2 at 11:59PM.

For more about the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, the Real Racing GTI game, and an
in-depth look at the six GTI prize editions that are waiting to hit the
streets, please visit www.media.vw.com.

About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is headquartered in
Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in
Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of
passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Through its Volkswagen
division, VWGoA sells the Golf, GTI, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible,
Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and
Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2010 Volkswagen
models come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is
important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since
the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or
www.media.vw.com to learn more.

About Firemint

Firemint creates fun, addictive games. The studio has worked with the
industry's leading publishers developing over 30 titles from notable
franchises as well as originals. Firemint's first self-published iPhone game
Flight Control has been a world-wide #1 App Store hit. Firemint's second
self-published iPhone game, the high-end 3D pro racing title Real Racing, has
been critically acclaimed as a triumph for the platform. Founded in 1999 by
CEO Robert Murray, Firemint is located in Melbourne, Australia's games
development hub, and employs 35 people. For more information about Firemint,
please visit www.firemint.com.

Apple's App Store Downloads Top Two Billion

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:50:09 -0400

Apple® today announced that more than two billion apps have been downloaded from its revolutionary App Store, the largest applications store in the world. There are now more than 85,000 apps available to the more than 50 million iPhone(TM) and iPod touch® customers worldwide and over 125,000 developers in Apple's iPhone Developer Program.

"The rate of App Store downloads continues to accelerate with users downloading a staggering two billion apps in just over a year, including more than half a billion apps this quarter alone," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "The App Store has reinvented what you can do with a mobile handheld device, and our users are clearly loving it."

Today, iPhone and iPod touch customers in 77 countries worldwide can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. With the recently introduced iTunes® 9, it's now easier than ever to organize and sync your apps right in iTunes and they will automatically appear on your iPhone or iPod touch with the same layout.

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPhone, iPod touch and iTunes are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

ESPN Radio Launches App in Apple iTunes Store

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:27:01 -0400

ESPN today launches its newest application to the Apple iTunes App Store for ESPN Radio. The app gives millions of ESPN Radio listeners access to live, crystal clear radio streams, fan favorite shows, the latest SportsCenter updates every 20 minutes, popular podcasts, play-by-play broadcasts, live scores, newsfeeds and text messaging and call-in capabilities directly to ESPN Radio and ESPN affiliate stations.

“Our mission is to serve sports fans the best audio wherever they are and whenever they want it on any device,” said Marc Horine, vice president of digital partnerships and sales development for ESPN. “The ESPN Radio app delivers that same great content to mobile listeners through a seamless audio experience while also allowing complete control to choose from their favorite stations, shows and podcasts.”

The ESPN Radio app is available on iTunes for $2.99 and includes:

· Popular ESPN Radio Shows: Access to live audio from fan favorite shows like Mike & Mike in the Morning, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, The Scott Van Pelt Show, The Michael Kay Show, The Michael Irvin Show and many more.

· Live Radio Station Streams: Over 15 ESPN Radio stations, including ESPN 1050 New York, ESPN 1250 Pittsburgh, ESPN 1000 Chicago, ESPN 103.3 Dallas and ESPN 710 Los Angeles.

· Podcasts: Over 35 ESPN Radio podcasts available including The BS Report with Bill Simmons, Pardon The Interruption, Around The Horn and Fantasy Focus.

· Live Play-by-Play Broadcasts: Listen in on ESPN Radio play-by-play for college football games in real-time.

· SportsCenter Updates: The latest news from SportsCenter updated every 20 minutes.

· Live Scores & Newsfeeds: Access to NFL, MLB, NHL, college and professional sports teams scores and news.

· Text Messaging: User can send a message directly to the studio of an ESPN Radio show.

See a short demo video of the ESPN Radio mobile app HERE.

The ESPN Radio app adds another platform to access audio from ESPNRadio.com, the world’s most listened-to online audience stream of any terrestrial broadcaster in the world. It reaches more than 420,000 unique listeners per month according to Ando Media, which measures nearly 7,000 global streams of audio worldwide. Additionally, ESPNRadio.com is the largest, most listened to talk format stream, both terrestrially and via Internet-only streaming. It generates 1.9 million total sessions per month (an increase of 25 percent compared to last year) and the average session in ESPNRadio.com’s audio stream lasts 2.5 hours.

The app is the latest from ESPN, following the recent release of ESPN Fantasy Football, the hugely successful ESPN ScoreCenter, ESPN Fantasy Football Draft Kit and the photo matching game ESPN Freeze Frame (formerly ESPN Cameraman). ESPN ScoreCenter launched in June to more than 75 countries, supporting 6 languages, and has been downloaded more than 2.2 million times. The ESPN Fantasy Football Draft Kit was launched August 1 and in just 4 weeks has been downloaded more than 350,000 times. ESPN Zoom originally launched as ESPN Cameraman in October 2008. Through several versions, it has been downloaded nearly 2 million times.

Apple Approves First Official Porn Star App for iPhone

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:16:43 -0400

GrindHouse Mobile Inc., the premier technical provider for adult mobile application development, including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Symbian OS, Palm, Windows Mobile and others, has just launched "Version 1.0" of the first and only official pornstar iPhone® application for Sunny Leone and the official application for adult nude super star Aria Giovanni. Both of these brand new sexy apps are available now in the Apple iTunes® store.

Adult super star Sunny Leone's first app, the free "lite version" that offers exclusive pictures, a blog and video clips, is now available. Version 2.0, a premium version with more features, photo sets and videos is currently awaiting approval. Version 2.0 is packed with all new interactive features, games, blogs and ways to contact Sunny right from your phone, plus tons of additional high quality exclusive content. When asked about her new App, Sunny Leone commented: "I'm so excited about the future of my iPhone® App. This provides an entire new way for me to communicate with my fans and give them a new and unique content experience!"

Former Penthouse® Pet, Aria Giovanni, is one of the world's most well recognized nude centerfold models. Her official iPhone® app is the second adult application developed by Grindhouse and approved by Apple®. It is currently available in the App Store. Version 2.0 is pending approval and will include several new features, more content and a few surprises for her fans. "I'm thrilled with my new App and can't wait for Version 2.0 to hit the App store. It's going to blow my fans away. Thank you Apple for approving my App and giving my fans another way to follow my life and modeling career," said Aria.

While developing the first two adult themed iPhone® Apps and getting them approved by Apple®, Grindhouse closely followed Apple's strict guidelines. The first version of Sunny Leone's App was declined due to the explicit nature of the content. "It was just a little too 'hot' for Apple's compliance department," said a representative from Grindhouse. "We worked closely with Apple to meet all of their guidelines while developing an offering that is compelling and user friendly."

These two stars are the first of many entertainment related mobile applications to be released by Grindhouse, including some of the largest brand names and adult superstars in the adult industry. The next major release will include "The girls of Erotica.com." Coming to your mobile phone soon...

For more information on Grindhouse Mobile, please visit www.grindhousemobile.com. Sunny Leone's official website can be found at sunnyleone.com and Aria's official site is ariagiovanni.com

Apple Premieres iTunes 9

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:11:18 -0400

Apple® today introduced iTunes® 9, the latest version of the world’s most popular software application to purchase, manage and play media, packed with innovative features such as iTunes LP, Home Sharing and Genius Mixes, as well as a redesigned store and improved syncing. iTunes 9 makes it easier than ever to discover, purchase and enjoy your music, movies, TV shows, and apps for iPhone™ and iPod touch® from Apple’s revolutionary App Store. Plus, Home Sharing now lets you easily transfer songs, movies and TV shows to other computers in your home.

“iTunes 9 is a great iTunes release, with innovative features that make using iTunes better than ever and iTunes content richer than ever,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iTunes LP, for example, lets artists share more of their creativity with fans and gives music lovers the feeling of being immersed in an entire album with art, lyrics, liner notes, photos and videos.”

iTunes LP is the next evolution of the music album delivering a rich, immersive experience for select albums on the iTunes Store by combining beautiful design with expanded visual features like live performance videos, lyrics, artwork, liner notes, interviews, photos, album credits and more. iTunes LP debuts today with albums including Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited,” Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me,” The Grateful Dead’s “American Beauty” and Dave Matthews Band’s “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King: iTunes Pass.” The new iTunes Extras provides a similar experience for movies on iTunes with features including documentaries, deleted scenes, interviews and interactive galleries. iTunes Extras is now available for select movies including “Twilight,” “Batman Begins,” “WALL-E,” “Iron Man” and “The Da Vinci Code.” Customers can enjoy iTunes LP and iTunes Extras on a Mac® or PC.

iTunes 9 also introduces Home Sharing, which lets you easily transfer music, movies and TV shows among up to five authorized computers in your home. Family members can now view up to five iTunes libraries on their home network, see only the portion of these libraries they don’t already have, import their favorite content directly to their own libraries, and automatically add new purchases from other computers into their library.

The incredibly popular Genius feature gets even better with Genius Mixes which are created using the results of over 27 million music libraries with over 54 billion songs that have been submitted and analyzed by Genius. The new Genius Mixes feature is like having a “Genius” DJ that automatically generates up to 12 endless mixes of songs from your iTunes library that go great together.

With improved syncing in iTunes 9 and iPhone OS 3.1, you can now organize your iPhone apps right in iTunes and they will automatically appear on your iPhone with the same layout. Plus, syncing music, photos, movies and TV shows is easier than ever with the added ability to sync music by artist and genre and sync photos by Events and Faces. The iTunes Store on iPhone now features precut ringtone downloads with over 20,000 ringtones priced at just $1.29.

iTunes 9 is available immediately as a free download at www.itunes.com.

The iTunes Store is the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 11 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes and over 7,500 films including over 2,000 in stunning high definition video. With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iTunes Movie Rentals, integrated podcasting support, the ability to turn previously purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seamless integration with iPod® and iPhone, the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.

Vonage Obtains Application Approval for iTunes App Store

Jason Ankeny — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:14:55 -0400

Vonage (NYSE: VG) has announced that Apple approved its mobile application for iPhone and iPod Touch. Vonage is currently conducting a beta test and general availability will be announced at a later date.

This new service, along with the recent launch of the Vonage World unlimited calling plan, continues Vonage's heritage of using innovative technology to create significant value for its current and future customers.